Tiger Woods’ Role in Ryder Cup Uncertain as USA Captain Discusses Future Plans
Tiger Woods is in talks with Team USA captain Keegan Bradley about a potential role in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Bradley, who is leading the American team for this edition of the prestigious event, aims to reclaim the title lost to Europe in Italy last autumn.
To achieve this, Team USA is eager to assemble a strong lineup, and Woods may play a part in it. While Bradley refrained from confirming Woods’ involvement, he did not rule out the possibility of the 15-time major champion contributing in some capacity at Bethpage Black.
Having participated in eight Ryder Cups over the past two decades and winning the trophy twice, Woods is a significant figure in the tournament’s history. “I spoke to Tiger a lot after the announcement,” Bradley noted. “He offered valuable advice. With the pressures of the President’s Cup and playoffs, I’ve temporarily put some decisions on hold.”
Bradley plans to address Woods’ potential involvement in the coming weeks and months, emphasizing the latter’s role as a mentor with numerous suggestions for the team.
Woods’ last Ryder Cup experience was notably disappointing, as he failed to win any matches during the 2018 event at Le Golf National, contributing to another American loss to Europe. However, Team USA may have an advantage in 2025; the last time a team won on foreign soil was in 2012 when Europe triumphed at Medinah Country Club.
In addition to focusing on his fitness for the upcoming season, Woods is engaged in various golf-related projects. He is involved in the merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf and recently announced plans to design a new course in Aledo, Texas.
Woods is also preparing to launch a new golf league, TGL, in January alongside fellow PGA Tour player Rory McIlroy. This tech-driven league will feature 24 top PGA Tour players, including Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Rose, in weekly televised matches at a Florida venue.
In related news, both Bradley and European captain Luke Donald have expressed openness to including LIV Golf players in next year’s Ryder Cup. Only one LIV member, Brooks Koepka, participated in the 2023 event in Rome, while the other 23 players came from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Bradley has also expressed interest in potentially becoming the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. The 38-year-old has been in excellent form recently, highlighted by his impressive FedEx Cup playoff win at the BMW Championship in August.